Extra-Changing Fate ==Editing==

Chapter 39 ==Sudden Assassination Attempt==

"Alyssa? Have you gone mad?!"

I sighed heavily, the scolding from everyone continuing as soon as the Emperor dismissed me to prepare for the hunt, leaving Father to talk with him.

They were all completely confused, every single one of them!

"Alyssa, you'll get killed in that dense forest!" Mother exclaimed, but I simply ignored her.

"Alyssa... what are you doing?!"

And just as I thought of him, Father had arrived. I turned to face him. "I'm just saving us from getting last place," I replied casually, pulling on the hunting boots that Sagittarius had prepared for me.

She wasn't using Aries' identity; it was a new one. Grandfather had faked it, saying Ellie went on vacation and 'Sally,' or Sagittarius, would be her stand-in.

"It's dangerous there! You're—"

"Father, didn't you say that I must contribute something to this hunt? Even if you don't care whether I get hurt or not, trust me this one time... I'll save us from getting last place. That's my only option," I cut him off as Sagittarius then tied my hair into a neat bun, removing all the jewelry I was wearing.

Except for the anklet, of course, as always. Today it would be visible, but I would just lie and say Grandfather gave it to me.

"What do you mean?!? I—"

"Don't worry about me. I don't have your talent or anything like it. I'll just go there and bribe someone to give me their prey," I interrupted him again, not wanting to hear his worried words.

Even though it had been a while since I took over this body, I knew there were still some lingering feelings from the original Alyssa. If her father spoke hurtful words, it felt like it would sting. That's why I was avoiding it and kept cutting him off.

"Ugh! Who on earth would accept bribes when most of them are as rich as us!" Sister exclaimed, stating a fact everyone agreed with.
I smirked.

"You wouldn't know. I've spent time with Grandfather and learned a thing or two about favors... There's even a good chance I'll win this," I muttered the last part.

"Father? You mean that Prince Elijah would likely give you his prey?" Father asked, and I shook my head. "That cousin is useless," I stated plainly.

Prince Elijah was the crown prince, and believe me, he was as unhelpful as my brother. They lacked physical strength but were incredibly smart.

Cousin Marcus was much more reliable, but unfortunately, due to circumstances, he couldn't participate. That's why Prince Elijah was the one competing for the Western Royal Family.

"It seems that Dowager Queen Lilith has arrived," Brother stated, and our heads turned towards the entrance to see the Northern Kingdom's Queen, King Frederick's mother.
She might be old, but she was still beautiful.

"Now, all hunters! Gather now!"

I heard the announcer. I took a deep breath and faced my family. "I'll be back. Just expect that I'll be covered in bruises," I joked as I quickly rushed to the center where we were given horses.

Everyone was now mounted on their assigned horses and starting to go their separate ways.

"I doubt that Lady Alyssa can ride a horse."

"She'll surely humiliate herself this time."

"She wanted to act like a hero, but we all know she'll most likely place last, right?"

I smiled faintly as I continued to hear more and more unpleasant gossip about me.

If they kept it up, it would only make me want to win this childish competition even more.